RATING
3 stars
N/A = good but not on the scale
1 star = perspective supplementing
2 stars = perspective influencing
3 stars = perspective altering
SHORT SUMMARY (272 words or less)
I think that it’s safe to say that I’m a double Obama-phile. I gave 3 stars to Becoming by Michelle Obama. So naturally this one would get a high rating as well.
Politically, I’m almost entirely aligned with the centrist approach to governing on display during Obama’s presidency. But my three stars has less to do about political substance and more to do about authenticity. The way President Obama writes about his life moved me to tears a few times. I read this book while my mom was in the last stages, and ultimately passed away, from her cancer battle. Obama writes about his mother’s passing in such a raw and honest way, with an emotion that you can only understand when you go through it yourself. He talks about a breast cancer patient that he met on his campaign in 2008, and thinking about her, his mom, and others he met in the run up and passage of the Affordable Care Act. This, too, was personal for me as my wife has been battling breast cancer.
I wish I had more to say about this book–I didn’t take any notes, and about eight months have passed since I finished it. I kind of phoned it in and didn’t do a larger summary, which I regret, but I had a lot going on in my life. I give it three stars because it gives a first hand and authentic account to the life and rise of one of the most influential leaders of the 21st century. It’s an incredible and authentic read.
Book Summaries. Less than 272 words. 